Amanda Mancino-Williams was standing on a crowded train.
She was 37 years old, six and a half months pregnant, and travelling from Cheltenham to Nottingham with her three children and their suitcases. She had booked four seats around a table in advance, as recommended to avoid being left without a seat. But when she arrived at her seats, an elderly couple were already occupying them. According to her, they told her that her tickets “didn’t matter” and that they had no intention of moving, then refused to look her in the eye.
Her children, aged 14, 12 and 8, had to squeeze into two seats while she endured the journey standing. Then a passenger appeared and, without being asked, offered her his seat. After a brief conversation with a CrossCountry train manager, who apologised, Amanda and her three children were upgraded to first class.
